CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. -- In a valley known for its midcentury architecture, a classic midcentury car stands out.

In this case, it's the 1963 Studebaker Avanti. It's as gorgeous and fresh in its design today as it was 51 years ago. Frank Wenzel of Palm Springs, the owner, knows all about it. He's active in several Studebaker clubs.

The Avanti was a design from Raymond Loewy, one of the most famous designers of the era who was also known for streamlined locomotives, the paint job on Air Force One -- it still carries it today -- and the classic 1950s Greyhound bus.The Avanti was almost in a class by itself.

Avanti didn't last long, since Studebaker went out of business only a few years after it was produced. Thankfully, the design is timeless -- and the Avanti, which we saw here at the Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, lives on.